Things to do around Naperville this weekend: May 4-6

Friday

North Central College presents ‘Almost Living’ – 7:30PM | $3-5
Meiley-Swallow Hall – 31 S. Ellsworth St. Naperville, Il 60540
North Central College presents a whimsical new musical “Almost Living” at 7:30PMMay 3-5 and at 2PMMay 6 in Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Written and directed by senior Juan Munoz, this production explores what it means to be alive. Tickets are $5 per adult, $3 per student and senior. Call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Enjoy the Virginia Blue Bells! – All Day!
Naperville Riverwalk – Near Sindt Woods Naperville, Il 60540
Take a leisurely stroll and discover the once-a-springtime beauty in the wooded areas throughout the Riverwalk where Virginia blue bells are blooming this week. Find large blankets of the pretty blue and pink flowers covering the landscape along the paths at Knoch Knolls Park, too. (PN photo of the winding Riverwalk Friday morning, May 4.)

Cinco de Mayo

AAUW Naperville Area Used Book and Media Sale donation drive – 9AM | Free
Knox Presbyterian Church – 1105 Catalpa Naperville, Il 60540
Used Book and Media donation drive for AAUW Naperville Area annual sale which raises funds for scholarships, fellowships, and other programs supporting women and girls. Donate hardcover/paperback books, CD’s, DVD’s and LP’s. No encyclopedias, condensed books, textbooks , American Heritage or VHS tapes. Unloading assistance and tax receipts will be provided. If possible bring books in boxes. For more information: aauwnaperville@hotmail.com or naperville-il.aauw.net. If you are unable to bring books to donation drive, small quantities can be dropped off at the District 203 Administration Bldg., 203 W. Hillside Dr., Naperville, IL, 60540.

Orientation – 9AM | Free
Community Career Center – 1815 W. Diehl Rd., Suite 900 Naperville, IL 60563
Are you in a job search? Learn about the services and resources available to job seekers at the Community Career Center including one-on-one appointments with volunteer career coaches covering career exploration, job search strategy, networking, resume review, interviewing, and LinkedIn. In addition, the CCC offers job search related workshops, networking and accountability groups, use of workstations and support from the staff and career coaches. Membership is nominal for a one-year period. Free to all job seekers / No need to RSVP.

2018 Kentucky Derby – 144th annual Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs – Post Time: 5:34PM TV: NBC 5 Chicago / Derby Party will run to benefit Hesed House from 3-7PM at Embassy Suites. Check out last-minute availability. Also, if not attending, your bids for auction items can be accepted online. Click here to browse.

Sunday

Makin’ Strides for Strays – 8:30AM | Free
Naperville Central High School – 440 West Aurora Ave. Naperville, IL 60540
Bring your best pal and join A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter for their 25th anniversary of Makin’ Strides for Strays! Enjoy a 2.5 mile walk that winds through downtown Naperville. Fun for the whole family with music, vendors and food. You don’t want to miss it. This is a free event with donations gratefully accepted.

23 Years of German Church Services – 11:30AM | Free
St. John United Church of Christ – 1190 Olesen Drive Naperville, IL 60540
On Sunday, May 6, 23 years of German church services in Naperville will be celebrated at St. John United Church of Christ at 11:30AM. The service will be led by Pastor Dr. Egon Gerdes, and all are welcome to attend. There will be a reception with coffee and cake following the service. St. John UCC is located at 1190 Olesen Drive. German church services are held on the first Sunday of every month and will continue on June 3 and July 1. For more information, call (630) 355-5208.

It’s spring! Enjoy the sights & seasonal changes along the Riverwalk!

The Riverwalk offers a place for peaceful walks and reflection in the heart of downtown Naperville, just steps from the campus of North Central College.

Consider ‘save the dates’ today for future events

Keep Moving to help keep local charities running! Register now for the first running event of the season at PN’s Runs, Walks and Bike Rides that will keep you outdoors for more than a good cause.

Catch 35 Naperville… Catch 35 Naperville will be hosting a wine dinner for Chappellet Vineyards from 6PM to 9PM on Thursday, May 24. For more information, visit www.catch35.com/naperville.

2018 General Election is November 6. Thanks for being informed!

Check out the Naperville Voters Guide for results of the recent Primary Election and a listing of hopefuls that advanced to run in the Illinois General Election to serve Naperville in DuPage County, Will County, Springfield and Washington, D.C. Thanks to the candidates that have been running races focused on innovative ideas and solutions for this beautiful Midwestern state.

Year-round Gift Ideas/Reserve ‘Gala’ Tickets!

Think dinner and the show and combine a gift certificate/card to a restaurant and theater tickets to performances on stage at North Central College. Perhaps give memberships to places such as Naper Settlement, DuPage Children’s Museum or Naperville Art League. Or provide a gift of music lessons with one of the teachers available at Ellman’s Music Center.

‘Tis always the season to give DNA gift cards or to create a new experience in 2018. Downtown Naperville Gift Cards make great gifts for any special occasion. With a Downtown Naperville gift card, the recipient can find a new outfit, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, take a fitness class, pick up a pair of new running shoes, discover a great new book or enjoy a wonderful meal. There are so many choices and possibilities.

Upcoming gala benefits create gift-giving opportunities

Give special certificates for a pair of tickets or an entire table to some other charity gala or golf outing this year. Consider the 7th Annual Derby Party for Hesed House from 3-10PM on May 5 or the DuPage Veterans Foundation Honor Flight Fundraising Luncheon, activities and displays at Calamos Investments Hangar from 11AM until 2PM on May 5.

Hat’s off to fun events for worthy causes! Thanks to all for supporting fundraising events in the community whenever possible! Everybody is welcome!

Greetings!

And if you need greeting cards for those special gift certificates and other seasonal gifts, find huge assortments for all occasions at Oswald’s Pharmacy in Naperville Plaza and The Boxes, Etc., in Cress Creek Shopping Center. Cheers!

Note that more than 40 of the eateries are located throughout downtown Naperville where there are plenty of shopping opportunities in between meals right down the block from the Riverwalk in spring bloom!

Cheers to the local business experience! Celebrate safely.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome to the patio at Quigley’s, weather permitting.

Start with breakfast from 10AM to Noon at Quigley’s Irish Pub on Saturdays and Sundays.

Breakfast, brunch and lunch are served at many other dining locations throughout downtown Naperville, too.

Thanks for reading and shopping locally!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the local business community whenever possible. Put your money where your heart is, right here in your hometown. Get to know your local independent businesses, too, the group that meets at Kreger’s Brat & Sausage Haus at 6PM on the first Monday of the most months. So that would be this Mon., May 7.

And in the words of Dan Casey, owner of Casey’s Foods, “Support your local businesses and you’ll always live a nice community.”

An ombudsman is Scandinavian in origin dating back to Viking times; and refers to a community representative; usually acting independently on behalf of an organization, body of elected officials, or civic group. Thanks Scandinavia for inventing ombudsman.